Everything you need to know about Asafoetida

Asafoetida is the dried sap obtained from the roots of Ferula plants. While it’s native to Afghanistan and Iraq, asafoetida is commonly used in Indian cuisine where it’s dried, ground into a spice, and referred to as hing.

In addition to flavoring food, asafoetida has also been used for centuries around the world for its perceived health benefits

What is asafoetida?

Technically a gum-resin, asafoetida is a hard substance that’s extracted from large, carrot-shaped roots of the Ferula plants.

Once extracted, it’s commonly dried, ground into a coarse, yellow powder, and used for either culinary or medicinal purposes.

As a spice, asafoetida is known for its strong, pungent odor, which is due to its high concentration of sulphur compounds.

However, when cooked, its flavor and smell become much more palatable and are often described as being similar to leeks, garlic, and even meat

In addition to adding a distinct flavor to dishes, asafoetida has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Potential benefits of asafoetida

1. Good source of antioxidants
2. May be good for digestion
3. May help reduce symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial effects
5. Help lower blood pressure
6. Anticancer effects
7. Protect brain health
8. Help ease asthma symptoms
9. Help lower blood sugar levels.

Potential side effects of asafoetida

1. Asafoetida isn’t recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or young children.
2. Because it may lower blood pressure or thin the blood, people on blood pressure medications or blood thinning drugs should avoid asafoetida.